A TRIP BEYOND TIME

Time seems to stand still here. Since ages, as it were. In the
foothills, valleys and dales of the mighty Karakorams and the
towering Hindu Kush mountains. Two of the highest ranges in the
world. This tour takes you to Gilgit ... linked with China by the
fabled Silk Route. The worlds highest, oldest and toughest
mountains road. Used for centuries by caravans from China.
Traders of fabulous silk and exotic oriental ware. Theres
the Nanga Parbat (26,660 ft.), one of the highest peaks in the
world. Gilgit is the place where the game of polo was born ...
centuries ago. Played at night with balls of fire. It is still
played there. At pretty much the same site.

You also drive through the historic Khyber pass ... the route
most foreign invaders took to conquer the subcontinent ... the
mighty Mangols, the Trucks, the Huns, the Moghuls, and others.

And you visit Chitral. Through these parts rode the armies of
Alexander the Great to the plains of Pakistan. Their descendants
still live there. Kafir Kalash ... a pagan tribe, practising the
ancient Greek rituals. Look at the Kafirs, and youll say
this is the legendary land of health and beauty. They look
ageless ... their unlined faces just as serene at seventeen as at
seventy. The towering Trichmir peak (25,290 ft.) provides the
breath-taking backdrop.

These regions in the north of Pakistan are known for their
natural beauty and invigorating climate. They are snowbound for
most part of the year, so modern life has not affected their
original from. In fact, most inhabitants have not seen the
outside world. Even the dialects they speak are all but extinct.
To be their is to take a trip beyond time.

Day 02 - Chilas Road journey to Chilas via
Besham. A short stopover enroute at Shatial Bridge to see rock
drawings. (200-700 AD) depicting Buddhist influence.The Karakoram
Highway (KKH) begins at Hawalian in the Himalayan Foot hills
Reaching Chilass, you get the first awe-inspiring view of the
majestic Nanga Parbat (8125 m).

Day 03 - Gilgit The KKH takes you to Gilgit near
the roof of the world. Enroute a brief Stopover at Thaliche to
have a magnificent view of the Nanga Parbat (naked mountain) and
do Some photography. A sightseeing tour of the Gilgit town, then
a trip to the nearby Kargh village to pay homage to an impressive
image of Lord Buddha.

Day 04 - Karimabad & Gulmit Departure for
Hunza valley. Enroute a spectacular view of Mount Rakaposhi
(7788m) and a brief stay at Chilas to look for semi precious
stones. On reaching Karimabad the capital of Hunza valley, visit
the Baltit Fort, tucked high on a picturesque site in the
backdrop of pine covered and snow topped mountains. Reaching
Gulmit in the vicinity of high peaks and glaciers, you are all
Set for a memorable trip on the highest highway of the world to
Khunjerab (4594) near the Chinese border.

Day 05 - Khunjrab Top The road follows the
route taken by the silk traders caravans in the ancient
times.

Day 06 - Chials Return, the same way back as you
came, to Chillas.

Day 07 - Saidu via Basham From Basham you turn
westward across shangle Pass into the Karora Valley which has a
rich variety of plant life.

Day 08 - Saidu An excursion to Saidu, Mingora
Bazar, the Museum and the Gandhara Excavations at Butkara.

Day 09 - Chitral One way to Chitral you pass
through the Chakdara plains, Dir and Lowari Pass (3088m) from
where you descend into the Chitral valley.

Day 10 - Bombarat and Birir A full day excursion
of Bombarat and Birir valleys of the Kalash tribes, the ravages
of time have not been able to alter their dearly held, centuries
old customs and way of life.

Day 11 - Peshawar Fly to Peshawar, Enroute you
have an impressive view of the Lowari Pass and Hindukush mountain
range. A visit to the Dera Trible gun factory where the rugh and
robust pathan tribesmen have been manufacturing indigenous arms
for centuries. One experiences a touch of romance and fascination
on reading about the fierce and equally handsome race of these
highlanders from what writers like Rudyard Kipling and Winston
Churchil have written about them.

Day 13 - Lahore Fly to Lahore, the cultural heart
of Pakistan, once the royal seat of the mighty Mughal emperors.
Here you se the finest specimens of the Mughal and Raj days
architecture. Full day sightseeing. Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque,
Wazir Khans Mosque, Jahangirs Tomb, Shalimar Garden,
Lahore Museum, Anarkali Bazar.